Friday, October 31, 2008

Sandy and I started our "Going AWOL" outings about 7 or 8 months ago. Now, there are three...Gloria! This time we went to Bon Appetite in Dunedin. This is a beautiful place on the water and tres chic inside! The food was wonderful and the company fun as always.

And can you believe this dessert. I had to take a picture of the description on the menu as I knew I'd never remember it...the flavor was amazing.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

One of the goodies in this month's offering at KnK Club is this darling little chocolate mini album, lots of glittery dies and a package of wonderful rub ons. My daughter will turn 33 soon and, rather than a card, I did this mini album for her. The inside pages show her in her many roles: wife, family member, daughter, Pampered Chef Director, sister, mom to the adopted doggies, but I am missing a picture of her teaching her sweet little second graders. Since she never reads my blog, I am safe in showing a glimpse of the project I have done for her. Will keep looking for the teacher picture.

I'll put up a few of the inside pages soon.

I am off to lunch with Gloria and Sandy today, two of my crafty pals from here in Tarpon Springs. All three of us have been traveling and now are home at the same time so it is Girls' Day Out!

Sat. is the 'garage' sale at Ruban Rouge. I booked my table and hope I can get one close to the store. Kip and Jayne are coming up to shop and, after the sale is done, I'll join them in St. Pete for some cropping at Kip's and a stay overnight. She found my missing make up case and even washed my dirty clothes I had put in the sack with the cosmetics...bless your heart, Kipper! HOpe you get your things back from Ft. Myers soon! It is like everyone who rode home from the crop with Gerri-anne, passed something to the right...lol.

Come see me at the Ruban Rouge Garage Sale on Sat...I have two printers for sale and one is a wide format one!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

I got so much done at the crop which is a real change for me. I am usually too busy socializing to scrap but this time did both! These are two of the layouts, both about The Boys!

Our router is giving us trouble for some odd reason. The only place we can get an internet connection is on my laptop in the bedroom which is the farthest from the router in the house. So weird. And, every time I have tried to load these two layouts, I have gotten duplicates of them...pretty spooky! Maybe our electronics are 'haunted'? So, if there is more than one of each...blame it on the spirits.

Have a great one...off to work on my fun Tim Holtz grunge board mini album!

Monday, October 27, 2008

We got home from the crop about 9 last night. We had a 'leisurely' journey home and many many laughs. I got TONS of stuff done. I did 5 layouts and two mini albums with the new Nov. kit from KnK and some of the new grunge board from Tim HOltz that Gerri=anne Duke has in the KnK store.

I'll post pictures etc. later...not tons since my camera flash went on the blink the very first night of the crop. I tell you this: no one does scrap book retreats like Miss Linda and her Hilltop Memories crew. The food, the fun the prizes and the friendships...amazing It would be worth your while to join us for any of the events from the day crops in Ruskin and Sarasota to the weekend ones or the cruise. I don't care how far you have to drive, fly or even hitch hike...it is worth the journey. Hats off to Linda, Miss Elle, Michele and Kathy!

More later. We have to get our pal, Jill, off to the airport soon and I have to get my article written for Scrapbook News and Review on My Acrylic Albums for the Nov/Dec. issue. But I promise, pictures soon.

Friday, October 24, 2008

with all the gals from Hilltop Memories (www.hilltopmemories.com)and can't wait! Lots of pics to follow on Monday. Not taking the lap top as there probably won't be internet connection. See you all soonest! I might even get some creating done; who knows as wonders never cease! Bye for now.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

but there is a good reason. I've been putting the final touches on the Romanza class I designed and am teaching at the MS Crop for Hope (Nov 7-9 Sebring Florida). I am only doing ten of these kits and believe me, they are loaded to the gills. The paper mache box is festooned with crumpled and gilded tissue paper, toule and, nestled in its velvet lined interior is the Prima embossed 6x6 album, glimmered and highlighted with gold krylon ink. The interior pages are a study in black, white and red with textured pages dominant. Add in some velvet flowers, pearls, bling and lace and you have...Romanza for 34.00

If the class does not fill, I'll make these available for purchase through KnKclub.com. If you want to be on the waiting list, let me know (eeickmeier@hotmail.com).

Oh, and wait til you see my upload for Gypsy Rose Paperie for this Friday...I had such fun with this week's free download!

Monday, October 20, 2008

And many thanks to my pal, Lori, for giving me so much chipboard so I could play. More pics on the altered art blog (http://jules-atoasttoalteredart.blogspot.com). If you want dimensions etc. drop me an email at eeickmeier@hotmail.com

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Since I have been too sick to create lately, heck, I've been too sick to breathe deeply, I thought I'd share some of my beloved Old Town St. Charles, Mo. with you. (I am feeling marginally better thanks to some wonderfully alcohol laced cough syrup). St. Charles was the first capital of Missouri for a short period of time and, when I was in junior high and high school, this section of town was run down and the wonderful old buildings had been subdivided into cheap apartments and allowed to slide into disrepair. I am not sure exactly when the area began to be rehabbed but it is now a wonderful place.

E and I lived just across the river and it was our favorite place to visit especially at Christmas. We always made reservations for supper at Lewis and Clark Restaurant and asked for a table on the heated top balcony for Las Pasadas...a reenactment of Mary and Joseph's quest for a room for the night. As the couple playing Mary and Joseph would roam from building to building in Old Town being turned away at each stop, more and more people join the procession with candles. The journey ends at the pavilion where the village tree is lit and carols are sang. We would manage to finish supper just in time to join the throng at the tree.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

It has been delightfully cool here in the early morning and evening. My star and night blooming jasmine (thank you Jill) are both in bloom and are saturating our yard with sweetness both day and night.

We got so many errands run yesterday: exchanged my new snowman for one whose snow globe lit up properly (and E bought me a second one!), hit Fresh Market for shatakii mushrooms (I love that place and could spend hours roaming the aisles), picked up some lovely bottles (3 each from Pier One) for Gerri-anne and Barb, went to two banks, and hit another grocery store on the way home hunting for sun dried tomato and basil pita chips for our company on Sat. to go with a white bean dip E is making.

My cold is progressing "nicely". I awoke this morning with my voice sounding like Brenda Vacarro (remember her? she has that sultry, smokers' voice)and my head feeling like it is wrapped in cotton...oh, and did I mention the runny nose? lol This too shall pass. According to Linda (Hilltop Memories) this usually takes about two weeks to run its course. I'll be fit by Creep Over!

Got great news the other day. There are only two of my Haunted House kits left for sale at KnK. If you are not a member, you can order one by contacting Gerri-anne, owner, at admin@knkclub.com.

The two layouts are ones I did yesterday. I was sorting papers and came upon some Spring Fling ones by Pink Paislee. I like the cute owl and had fun with that one. The "Our Table" not so much. The table is E and my special table at Little Winery of the Hills in St. Charles and I did want to scrap it. Well, it is done! Moving through these pictures from our vacation pretty steadily for me!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

While my honey,E,is a generous and sharing man, I wish he had kept his cold to himself. I could have used a little less sharing where that was concerned. I roughly figure I am on day 3 of the 7 days it takes a cold to run its course. I did little but sleep and read and sleep some more yesterday...oh, yes, and take otc drugs that seem to be alleviating the headache and stuffed head.

I have an article to write and just got my November kit from KnK and all I want to do is soak in the hot tub for my achy bones and sleep. As Scarlett O'Hara once said, "Tomorrow is another day" or was that Rhett? and do I really care?

This layout was done with a picture taken at Little Winery in Old Town St. Charles our second day in town. Steve, E and I had a leisurely lunch and killed a couple of wonderful bottles of wine. That was long ago and far away when I could breathe! lol

Monday, October 13, 2008

Every year, the Kristen and Chris invite us to go to the Long and Scott Farms for a corn maze and farmers market. This year, I said yes. E had all his football games lined up for the day and still was not feeling tip top, so he stayed home. Their friend, Lisa, the kids and I took off around 11. The farm is past Orlando but we laughed and talked our way up there and it seemed to take no time at all. We roamed the maze for over two hours, circling, finding some of the clues, getting a few answers here and there and often doubling back on ourselves. There was a nice breeze most of the time so the time passed pleasurably with Chris as our worthy guide.

The farmers market was filled with lovely tomatoes, gords and, of course tons and tons of pumpkins. I showed great restraint and only picked up four ears of sweet corn for supper tonight.

We stopped for supper on the way back home at Cracker Barrel and I got the cutest little snowman for my collection. Unfortunately, the snow globe he is carrying does not light up properly so I will exchange him some time this week at a CB not too far from here.

I also finished a layout yesterday and will put it up either later today or tomorrow am.

I now have E's cold/sore throat/etc. It was inevitable but sure don't feel tip top. Unlike Mr. Stubborn, if this gets any worse, I will go to the doctor. His 'toughing it out' has resulted in minimum sleep for me for the past three nights. I didn't want to wake him to move so I "toughed it out"...guess I must be Mrs. Stubborn, huh?

Friday, October 10, 2008

Every Friday, I post what I have done with the free download image from the week. I got home Wed. from our vacation and had to have this done by Thurs. evening for my turn to post. There are three other amazing artists who post their interpretation of the weekly download and I am Gypsy Gal Friday.

I had an idea that had been waiting for the right image and it came via Nikki Rose, the owner, this week. I like to give home made gifts for various holidays but I don't sew. This limits what I can make. Not this time...

For directions go to www.gypsyrosepaperie.com and click on blog to see how to make one of these no sew sachets or small gift bags.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

We had a lovely crisp and cool last morning at Nick and Kay's. There was a mist just above the surface of the lake and the fall colors were really coming out on the leaves. I will certainly have lots of all pictures to scrap that will keep me busy for quite some time.

Kay and E got some great pics of us kayaking. This is one Kay took. These Hobie Cat Mirages are amazing...foot or paddle and you can even get sails for them. We went on line and found a place not too far away that carries these. Saving my pennies now! Need to make a Kayak Jar for sure.

Our trip home was uneventful. I dozed and finished a book I started on the trip up. The kids picked us up and we were in bed by 8:30pm. Wild and crazy, aren't we. POor E has either a cold or a sinus infection and keeps waking himself (and me)up off and on through out the night.

I have my Friday project for Gypsy Rose Paperie to work on today and need to keep the laundry moving and the unpacking. That is the down side of a wonderful trip...and I am hoping our box filled with goodies from our trip arrives today.Can't wait to get my automated witch up!

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

We leave for the airport a bit after noon today. We are pretty much packed so have the morning yet to enjoy. Kay and I have a kayaking date right after breakfast. This morning the lake looks like a sheet of glass, it is so smooth and calm.

I am leaving you with a few more photos from our adventure yesterday. See you tomorrow back in Paradise!

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Yesterday was chill out day. The guys fished and Kay and I just hung out. We did make a run into town for some snacks and the steaks for tonight and then I hit the hammock that had been calling to me and napped! Kay's sister and her husband stopped by to say hello and a neighbor came calling as well. Our dear friends, Chuck and Linda came by for supper and brought us two wonderful bottles of Missouri wines that just fit in with the other six into our suitcase.

This morning we awoke to rain and mist but went full guns ahead with our plans to visit Rocheport (1825) and Les Bourgeois winery. What a wonderful place. The town is cute and snuggled along the Katy Trail and the Missouri River and the winery is perched atop the bluffs. We had a wonderful lunch and gave in to the call once again. This time we had the winery ship a port and a Norton to the house. We roamed through Columbia (all together now: "MIZ ZOU")and hit an antique store or two before heading home. The steaks are on the grill, the wine chilling and the debate on our viewing agenda!

Just as we pulled into Lake Sherwood we came upon our second viewing of deer. I was able to catch a couple of shots which I'll put up early tomorrow morning. Our plane doesn't leave until 3ish so Kay and I have a kayaking date tomorrow a.m. I love the Hobie with the pedals...E and I will be checking these out for sure!